Planet Rugby Forum

"By any conventional measure — election polls, approval ratings, economic trends, pandemic death rates — President Trump should be headed for a sound beating in November.
Point this out to any nervous liberal, though, and you’ll probably hear this rejoinder: “But 2016!” Pervasive thinking on the left and right holds that Trump surged four years ago on a wave of invisible support that the pundits completely missed, so of course we’re prone to miss it again.
It‘s a fundamental misreading of what happened in 2016. And the problem with misreading elections is that it makes you more likely to repeat your mistakes."

"So what happened? Well, here’s where it gets interesting.
Of the 47 percent of voters who said Clinton wasn’t qualified to serve, only 5 percent voted for her. That’s about what you’d expect.
Of the 61 percent of voters who said the same thing about Trump, however, 17 percent ignored their judgment and voted for him anyway.

In Florida, where Trump won by just over a single percentage point, more than half the electorate found him unqualified, and yet 16 percent of those voters cast a ballot for him. In Pennsylvania, where he won by an even slimmer margin, a stunning 21 percent of voters who said Trump didn’t have the right temperament for the job voted to send him to the White House.
In other words, on the night that marked his apex in political life, Trump’s margin of victory came from reluctant voters who almost certainly thought they were voting for the losing candidate, and who felt confident he’d make a terrible president."

"There was never anything like a groundswell for Trumpism. In fact, the election had strikingly little to do with him at all. It was mostly about the intense emotions triggered by his opponent.
In the end, some critical slice of voters who thought Clinton eminently more qualified for the job couldn’t bring themselves to vote for her. And they decided their only option was to take a flyer on a guy who seemed manifestly unfit for the job — and destined to lose in any event."

"The independent voters who narrowly went for Trump in 2016 deserted him almost immediately, once they saw their worst suspicions confirmed. Trump’s approval ratings have hovered just over 40 percent for most of his presidency, which is basically like a football team that goes 6-and-10 every year.
In the only national referendum on Trumpism since 2016 — the midterm cycle two years later — the president’s party was resoundingly rejected.

Trump is not Ronald Reagan, standing on the shoulders of a resurgent, mainstream conservatism. He’s a fringe figure preaching to a loud minority that can’t fill an arena in Oklahoma, a state he won by more than 35 points in 2016. He emboldens an ugly strain of American extremism, but there’s no evidence to suggest he has swollen those ranks.
According to everything we know about politics, Trump should lose in November. And he will — unless Democrats, failing to learn the right lessons from 2016, insist on cornering those same disaffected voters into backing him again."

"Joe Biden isn’t Hillary Clinton. He’s a more naturally gifted politician, and whatever his weaknesses, phoniness and elitism have never been among them. I thought Biden would have beaten Trump walking away had he been the nominee four years ago.

There’s really only one way for Trump to win this election — which is for Democrats to hand him the all-out culture war he desperately wants.
Biden and his team are too smart to fall into that trap. But the same might not be said for the party’s loudest activists, such as the types who want to abolish police departments and who believe that everyone who voted for Trump is a closet Confederate.
If the fall campaign feels like another condescending, “us vs. them” indictment of the so-called deplorables, then the same people who felt trapped into voting for Trump in 2016 may do it again. And the result, despite all the evidence of his political anemia, could look the same."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... -election/

Deadtigers wrote:

There’s really only one way for Trump to win this election — which is for Democrats to hand him the all-out culture war he desperately wants.
Biden and his team are too smart to fall into that trap. But the same might not be said for the party’s loudest activists, such as the types who want to abolish police departments and who believe that everyone who voted for Trump is a closet Confederate.
If the fall campaign feels like another condescending, “us vs. them” indictment of the so-called deplorables, then the same people who felt trapped into voting for Trump in 2016 may do it again. And the result, despite all the evidence of his political anemia, could look the same."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... -election/

Flyin Ryan wrote:

TheFrog wrote:I am personally very concerned that Biden will lose this election. He appeared so old and weak, people are not going to trust him to empower him with the job. Trump will have a field day demolishing him...

Who is the third candidate? Can he be a viable option?

Jo Jorgensen for the Libertarians - professor at Clemson, their first female nominee
Howie Hawkins for the Greens - Green Party US co-founder, routinely runs for the Greens in New York
Don Blankenship for the Constitution Party - coal executive from West Virginia - party to the Republicans' right
Rocky De La Fuente for the Alliance/Reform/American Delta/Natural Law parties - rich Mexican-American businessman from San Diego - more centrist-minded parties
Gloria La Riva for Party for Socialism & Liberation/Peace & Freedom/Liberty Union parties - modern-day communists

paddyor wrote:

Flyin Ryan wrote:

TheFrog wrote:I am personally very concerned that Biden will lose this election. He appeared so old and weak, people are not going to trust him to empower him with the job. Trump will have a field day demolishing him...

Who is the third candidate? Can he be a viable option?

Jo Jorgensen for the Libertarians - professor at Clemson, their first female nominee
Howie Hawkins for the Greens - Green Party US co-founder, routinely runs for the Greens in New York
Don Blankenship for the Constitution Party - coal executive from West Virginia - party to the Republicans' right
Rocky De La Fuente for the Alliance/Reform/American Delta/Natural Law parties - rich Mexican-American businessman from San Diego - more centrist-minded parties
Gloria La Riva for Party for Socialism & Liberation/Peace & Freedom/Liberty Union parties - modern-day communists

The guy with the cocaine Mitch ad.

Sensible Stephen wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

There’s really only one way for Trump to win this election — which is for Democrats to hand him the all-out culture war he desperately wants.
Biden and his team are too smart to fall into that trap. But the same might not be said for the party’s loudest activists, such as the types who want to abolish police departments and who believe that everyone who voted for Trump is a closet Confederate.
If the fall campaign feels like another condescending, “us vs. them” indictment of the so-called deplorables, then the same people who felt trapped into voting for Trump in 2016 may do it again. And the result, despite all the evidence of his political anemia, could look the same."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... -election/

Bingo. You can see hes ever more desperate for it. Chinese flu has become kung flu. The claims are becoming more outlandish. Hes wanting someone to get drawn in so he can associate them with extremists and scare people off.

Fangle wrote:I just hope that Biden selects somebody competent as VP, because sure as hell they’ll succeed him at some stage.

Winnie wrote:

Fangle wrote:I just hope that Biden selects somebody competent as VP, because sure as hell they’ll succeed him at some stage.

Who he puts as his running mate could make or break his campaign
At 78 with purported health issues as you say the other name on the ticket could well become President

Trump is no spring chicken and Pence is an arse as well so then again it might all just balance out!

Flyin Ryan wrote:

Sensible Stephen wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

There’s really only one way for Trump to win this election — which is for Democrats to hand him the all-out culture war he desperately wants.
Biden and his team are too smart to fall into that trap. But the same might not be said for the party’s loudest activists, such as the types who want to abolish police departments and who believe that everyone who voted for Trump is a closet Confederate.
If the fall campaign feels like another condescending, “us vs. them” indictment of the so-called deplorables, then the same people who felt trapped into voting for Trump in 2016 may do it again. And the result, despite all the evidence of his political anemia, could look the same."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... -election/

Bingo. You can see hes ever more desperate for it. Chinese flu has become kung flu. The claims are becoming more outlandish. Hes wanting someone to get drawn in so he can associate them with extremists and scare people off.

I made the remark to my wife over the weekend that Biden is running a 19th-century presidential political campaign in the 21st century, and he's going to win doing it.

Sensible Stephen wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

There’s really only one way for Trump to win this election — which is for Democrats to hand him the all-out culture war he desperately wants.
Biden and his team are too smart to fall into that trap. But the same might not be said for the party’s loudest activists, such as the types who want to abolish police departments and who believe that everyone who voted for Trump is a closet Confederate.
If the fall campaign feels like another condescending, “us vs. them” indictment of the so-called deplorables, then the same people who felt trapped into voting for Trump in 2016 may do it again. And the result, despite all the evidence of his political anemia, could look the same."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... -election/

Bingo. You can see hes ever more desperate for it. Chinese flu has become kung flu. The claims are becoming more outlandish. Hes wanting someone to get drawn in so he can associate them with extremists and scare people off.

Deadtigers wrote:

Flyin Ryan wrote:

Sensible Stephen wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

There’s really only one way for Trump to win this election — which is for Democrats to hand him the all-out culture war he desperately wants.
Biden and his team are too smart to fall into that trap. But the same might not be said for the party’s loudest activists, such as the types who want to abolish police departments and who believe that everyone who voted for Trump is a closet Confederate.
If the fall campaign feels like another condescending, “us vs. them” indictment of the so-called deplorables, then the same people who felt trapped into voting for Trump in 2016 may do it again. And the result, despite all the evidence of his political anemia, could look the same."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... -election/

Bingo. You can see hes ever more desperate for it. Chinese flu has become kung flu. The claims are becoming more outlandish. Hes wanting someone to get drawn in so he can associate them with extremists and scare people off.

I made the remark to my wife over the weekend that Biden is running a 19th-century presidential political campaign in the 21st century, and he's going to win doing it.

It's a real tortoise and the hare kind of election. The Covid had taken away shaking hands and kissing babies but beyond that he is just doing the basics and it is seems like it is making a difference when compared to Trumps.

Fangle wrote:What’s the latest on Biden’s choice as a running mate? The Democratic Convention is set for August 17th and I presume he will announce it then, but there must be some rumours.

Flyin Ryan wrote:

Fangle wrote:What’s the latest on Biden’s choice as a running mate? The Democratic Convention is set for August 17th and I presume he will announce it then, but there must be some rumours.

Kamala Harris seems to be frontrunner. There's also Tammy Duckworth. Stacey Abrams.

Sensible Stephen wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

There’s really only one way for Trump to win this election — which is for Democrats to hand him the all-out culture war he desperately wants.
Biden and his team are too smart to fall into that trap. But the same might not be said for the party’s loudest activists, such as the types who want to abolish police departments and who believe that everyone who voted for Trump is a closet Confederate.
If the fall campaign feels like another condescending, “us vs. them” indictment of the so-called deplorables, then the same people who felt trapped into voting for Trump in 2016 may do it again. And the result, despite all the evidence of his political anemia, could look the same."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... -election/

Bingo. You can see hes ever more desperate for it. Chinese flu has become kung flu. The claims are becoming more outlandish. Hes wanting someone to get drawn in so he can associate them with extremists and scare people off.

Fangle wrote:

Flyin Ryan wrote:

Fangle wrote:What’s the latest on Biden’s choice as a running mate? The Democratic Convention is set for August 17th and I presume he will announce it then, but there must be some rumours.

Kamala Harris seems to be frontrunner. There's also Tammy Duckworth. Stacey Abrams.

Stacey Abrams? What has she done other than lose to a very weak Republican candidate for governor, and be a state senator?

Floppykid wrote:Trump was demonstrating his water drinking abilities and pretending to slouch down a ramp at his latest limp noodle rally.

Flyin Ryan wrote:

Fangle wrote:

Flyin Ryan wrote:

Fangle wrote:What’s the latest on Biden’s choice as a running mate? The Democratic Convention is set for August 17th and I presume he will announce it then, but there must be some rumours.

Kamala Harris seems to be frontrunner. There's also Tammy Duckworth. Stacey Abrams.

Stacey Abrams? What has she done other than lose to a very weak Republican candidate for governor, and be a state senator?

She was born a black woman.

I don't think she'll get picked. That's a redux of Sarah Palin who was completely unqualified but at least was an elected Governor, which is 4 or so rungs above State Senator.

Mr Mike wrote:

Flyin Ryan wrote:

Fangle wrote:

Flyin Ryan wrote:

Fangle wrote:What’s the latest on Biden’s choice as a running mate? The Democratic Convention is set for August 17th and I presume he will announce it then, but there must be some rumours.

Kamala Harris seems to be frontrunner. There's also Tammy Duckworth. Stacey Abrams.

Stacey Abrams? What has she done other than lose to a very weak Republican candidate for governor, and be a state senator?

She was born a black woman.

I don't think she'll get picked. That's a redux of Sarah Palin who was completely unqualified but at least was an elected Governor, which is 4 or so rungs above State Senator.

She wasn’t a State Senator, she was the minority leader in the Georgia House of Representatives.

Flyin Ryan wrote:

Fangle wrote:

Flyin Ryan wrote:

Fangle wrote:What’s the latest on Biden’s choice as a running mate? The Democratic Convention is set for August 17th and I presume he will announce it then, but there must be some rumours.

Kamala Harris seems to be frontrunner. There's also Tammy Duckworth. Stacey Abrams.

Stacey Abrams? What has she done other than lose to a very weak Republican candidate for governor, and be a state senator?

She was born a black woman.

I don't think she'll get picked. That's a redux of Sarah Palin who was completely unqualified but at least was an elected Governor, which is 4 or so rungs above State Senator.

Kiwias wrote:HRC has become more visible in the media recently. Is there any chance Biden could name her in his cabinet, if he wins?

Kiwias wrote:HRC has become more visible in the media recently. Is there any chance Biden could name her in his cabinet, if he wins?

Mr Mike wrote:

Kiwias wrote:HRC has become more visible in the media recently. Is there any chance Biden could name her in his cabinet, if he wins?

Her youth and vitality could be an important asset for him.

I suspect there would be more chance of Chelsea getting some administration role than HRC.

Deadtigers wrote: The Covid had taken away shaking hands and kissing babies but beyond that he is just doing the basics and it is seems like it is making a difference when compared to Trumps.

kiwinoz wrote:

Deadtigers wrote: The Covid had taken away shaking hands and kissing babies but beyond that he is just doing the basics and it is seems like it is making a difference when compared to Trumps.

A lot of Democrat families are grateful creepy Joe isnt touching their kids or sniffing their hair.

Deadtigers wrote:

kiwinoz wrote:

Deadtigers wrote: The Covid had taken away shaking hands and kissing babies but beyond that he is just doing the basics and it is seems like it is making a difference when compared to Trumps.

A lot of Democrat families are grateful creepy Joe isnt touching their kids or sniffing their hair.

You went 2 pages back amd that was the best you can do. The pure nonsense of him being a creep. SmH

Deadtigers wrote:

kiwinoz wrote:

Deadtigers wrote: The Covid had taken away shaking hands and kissing babies but beyond that he is just doing the basics and it is seems like it is making a difference when compared to Trumps.

A lot of Democrat families are grateful creepy Joe isnt touching their kids or sniffing their hair.

You went 2 pages back amd that was the best you can do. The pure nonsense of him being a creep. SmH

eldanielfire wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

kiwinoz wrote:

Deadtigers wrote: The Covid had taken away shaking hands and kissing babies but beyond that he is just doing the basics and it is seems like it is making a difference when compared to Trumps.

A lot of Democrat families are grateful creepy Joe isnt touching their kids or sniffing their hair.

You went 2 pages back amd that was the best you can do. The pure nonsense of him being a creep. SmH

Whatever you think of Biden, the idea him being creepy is nonsense?

No wonder you think Jeffery Epstein being secretly busted out of prison and allowed to live on his peado island when the authorities had him in their hands is a credible conspiracy theory

flaggETERNAL wrote:Is it fair to say, Trump losing and the Dems inheriting a post Covid struggling economy works out for the GOP. Trump just stands outside screaming about the swamp.

Deadtigers wrote:

flaggETERNAL wrote:Is it fair to say, Trump losing and the Dems inheriting a post Covid struggling economy works out for the GOP. Trump just stands outside screaming about the swamp.

This has been going on for decades. Carter cleans up Fords mess, Clinton cleaned up Reagan and Poppy Bush, Obama cleaned up W and now Biden cleans up after Trump.

You will now see the tea party come back, concerns over the deficit, lack of concern for the social safety net, etc.

Deadtigers wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

kiwinoz wrote:

Deadtigers wrote: The Covid had taken away shaking hands and kissing babies but beyond that he is just doing the basics and it is seems like it is making a difference when compared to Trumps.

A lot of Democrat families are grateful creepy Joe isnt touching their kids or sniffing their hair.

You went 2 pages back amd that was the best you can do. The pure nonsense of him being a creep. SmH

Whatever you think of Biden, the idea him being creepy is nonsense?

No wonder you think Jeffery Epstein being secretly busted out of prison and allowed to live on his peado island when the authorities had him in their hands is a credible conspiracy theory

From the guy that thinks it's the systems fault his guy lost despite the largest war chest and the highest name recognition and 4 years in the national news. It was rigged against him from the start, were your words were they not?

And throughout his career the best people can come up with was Tara "inconsostency" Reade. Biden has some personal space issues but he is no worse than close talker and to try and make it out to be something else is nonsense.

Btw, KiO nice of you to drop the pretense of not being a conservative. It is much easier to deal with now.

eldanielfire wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

kiwinoz wrote:
A lot of Democrat families are grateful creepy Joe isnt touching their kids or sniffing their hair.

You went 2 pages back amd that was the best you can do. The pure nonsense of him being a creep. SmH

Whatever you think of Biden, the idea him being creepy is nonsense?

No wonder you think Jeffery Epstein being secretly busted out of prison and allowed to live on his peado island when the authorities had him in their hands is a credible conspiracy theory

From the guy that thinks it's the systems fault his guy lost despite the largest war chest and the highest name recognition and 4 years in the national news. It was rigged against him from the start, were your words were they not?

And throughout his career the best people can come up with was Tara "inconsostency" Reade. Biden has some personal space issues but he is no worse than close talker and to try and make it out to be something else is nonsense.

Btw, KiO nice of you to drop the pretense of not being a conservative. It is much easier to deal with now.

Oh look the poster banned for racism is trying again to smear others.

You were saying how hard left I was a few months ago and that blinded me to anything sensible On again you change your rhetoric to match whatever technique you can use to dismiss your opponents rather than admit fault. You know those debates when you where arguing against me on my desire to see universal healthcare program, more investment in public services and more support to protect the working class jobs and would credit Elizabeth Warren's plans to take on corporate wealth and power.

But the idea I'm conservative from the person whose been backing Biden who did so much corporate backing in his political career he was nick-named after a corporate bank. And now denying he isn't horribly creepy man despite lots of video evidence which has been out for the past year. Look in the mirror DT and stop thinking pro-partisan establishment support is somehow anti-conservative just because it has a blue flag

Oh and you think Epstein has been smuggled away to his peado island is the most credible theory around now?

Deadtigers wrote:
You really cant read. I addressed Kio by name. I made a separate paragraph. Like I made it clear I was no longer talking to you. And yet you think I was. Whatever school gave you your degree should be sued for malpractice.

eldanielfire wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:
You really cant read. I addressed Kio by name. I made a separate paragraph. Like I made it clear I was no longer talking to you. And yet you think I was. Whatever school gave you your degree should be sued for malpractice.

It may have been a mistake, but there isn't anyone called Kio here. I assume it was just some insult I was unaware of Now you've explained it it can be deduced, even though uou are literally the only person who uses it for some reason. But please don't even begin to compare whose qualifications are more worthwhile here .

Deadtigers wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:
You really cant read. I addressed Kio by name. I made a separate paragraph. Like I made it clear I was no longer talking to you. And yet you think I was. Whatever school gave you your degree should be sued for malpractice.

It may have been a mistake, but there isn't anyone called Kio here. I assume it was just some insult I was unaware of Now you've explained it it can be deduced, even though uou are literally the only person who uses it for some reason. But please don't even begin to compare whose qualifications are more worthwhile here .

KiwinOz. I have called him KiO and Kio for f**king ages including several times in this thread. Use the search function and you will see that(search.php?keywords=KiO&terms=all&autho ... mit=Search) just like how I address you shorthand as EDF or edf. Just take the f**king L for once and stop digging. I also possess 3 degrees so feel free to list and talk about your qualifications.

kiwinoz wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:
You really cant read. I addressed Kio by name. I made a separate paragraph. Like I made it clear I was no longer talking to you. And yet you think I was. Whatever school gave you your degree should be sued for malpractice.

It may have been a mistake, but there isn't anyone called Kio here. I assume it was just some insult I was unaware of Now you've explained it it can be deduced, even though uou are literally the only person who uses it for some reason. But please don't even begin to compare whose qualifications are more worthwhile here .

KiwinOz. I have called him KiO and Kio for f**king ages including several times in this thread. Use the search function and you will see that(search.php?keywords=KiO&terms=all&autho ... mit=Search) just like how I address you shorthand as EDF or edf. Just take the f**king L for once and stop digging. I also possess 3 degrees so feel free to list and talk about your qualifications.

Miss me hun?

Deadtigers wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:
You really cant read. I addressed Kio by name. I made a separate paragraph. Like I made it clear I was no longer talking to you. And yet you think I was. Whatever school gave you your degree should be sued for malpractice.

It may have been a mistake, but there isn't anyone called Kio here. I assume it was just some insult I was unaware of Now you've explained it it can be deduced, even though uou are literally the only person who uses it for some reason. But please don't even begin to compare whose qualifications are more worthwhile here .

KiwinOz. I have called him KiO and Kio for f**king ages including several times in this thread. Use the search function and you will see that(search.php?keywords=KiO&terms=all&autho ... mit=Search) just like how I address you shorthand as EDF or edf. Just take the f**king L for once and stop digging. I also possess 3 degrees so feel free to list and talk about your qualifications.

eldanielfire wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

Deadtigers wrote:
You really cant read. I addressed Kio by name. I made a separate paragraph. Like I made it clear I was no longer talking to you. And yet you think I was. Whatever school gave you your degree should be sued for malpractice.

It may have been a mistake, but there isn't anyone called Kio here. I assume it was just some insult I was unaware of Now you've explained it it can be deduced, even though uou are literally the only person who uses it for some reason. But please don't even begin to compare whose qualifications are more worthwhile here .

KiwinOz. I have called him KiO and Kio for f**king ages including several times in this thread. Use the search function and you will see that(search.php?keywords=KiO&terms=all&autho ... mit=Search) just like how I address you shorthand as EDF or edf. Just take the f**king L for once and stop digging. I also possess 3 degrees so feel free to list and talk about your qualifications.

There is no digging. EDF is as obvious and probably more commonly typed than my full name. And certainly a search will show no one else has referred to him as Kio nor have I ever been involved in any Kio name usage. No one uses it And Oh dear we have resorted to you trying to boast about your useless qualifications. You'll be posting your degrees up next for confirmation